The Heritage Foundation's Border Security and Immigration Center has released a report proposing over 50 principles and policies aimed at reforming the United States immigration system. The report seeks to provide guidance for the incoming Congress and presidential administration to establish a more orderly and manageable immigration process that prioritizes American citizens.
Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center and author of the report, commented on the current state of America's immigration system: "America’s immigration system has long been dysfunctional. Legal immigration has been too complicated, too slow, and too expensive. As a result, millions crossed the border illegally, stayed past the expiration date of their temporary visas, filed fraudulent immigration benefit applications, and remained in the U.S. for years without consequence."
Ries criticized changes made under the Biden-Harris Administration: "But the Biden-Harris Administration then fundamentally transformed the U.S. immigration system, erasing the line between legal and illegal immigration. The administration’s new version of America is nothing more than an open-border welfare state." She emphasized that there is now an opportunity to design a new system that benefits Americans first.
Derrick Morgan, Executive Vice President at Heritage, highlighted concerns about national security: "Our nation’s immigration system must serve American citizens. Right now, it is serving illegal aliens who do not always have America’s best interests at heart." He pointed out issues with unchecked entry under current policies: "Under the Biden-Harris administration, thousands of criminals and terrorist threats have entered our country unchecked."
Morgan expressed urgency for adopting a new framework: "With a new Congress and White House, it is more urgent than ever to adopt a system that secures our borders, mitigates national security risks, and is fair to those who follow the rules."
The report outlines five main principles accompanied by several policy recommendations:
1. Upholding sovereignty through adherence to constitutional law.
2. Serving American citizens through effective policy.
3. Ensuring national security for safety.
4. Simplifying processes for sustainability.
5. Removing incentives that encourage lawbreaking by foreign nationals or domestic entities.
